Mars Hill’s Ebbs Chapel Performing Arts Center reopens

MARS HILL – Concertgoers came out on Aug. 24 to celebrate the grand reopening of the Ebbs Chapel Performing Arts Center and to help raise money for the Appalachian Barn Alliance.

The heritage of Madison County was the theme of the afternoon as the doors of the historic rock school building again opened to show off the auditorium which provides a great venue for a performance.

The money raised will help fund the research for the grassroots nonprofit that’s documenting historically significant barns as a way to preserve the agricultural heritage of Madison County.

An exhibit outlined what the Barn Alliance has accomplished since the last time they had a benefit concert at the chapel. That was 23 months ago, when their mission was an idea and their work was just beginning.

Musical heritage was showcased not only by the songs, but also the stories told by old-time musicians and singers Laura Boosinger and Joe Penland, who was accompanied by Cathy Arrowood.

See Penland Sept. 13

Penland will perform at the Weaverville Library at 2 p.m. Sept. 13 in a free show. Penland is a Madison County native and grew up hearing the greatest ballad singers of the Southern Appalachians. He continues to preserve this tradition by performing everywhere from his own front porch to British folk festivals.

Penland has been awarded the coveted Bascom Lunsford Award, named for his cousin and founder of the longest running folk festival in America, for his “significant contribution to preserving our mountain music.”

The show is sponsored by the Friends of the Weaverville Library. To learn more, call the library at 250-6482.